Breaking boundaries- Charley Lockwood-Powell

BREAKING BOUNDARIES

PHOTO BY JAIDA SORENSEN

Over the past three years, Morgan Hansen has been dominating South Dakota girls basketball. Now a senior at LHS, Hansen is looking to end her high school career with a State championship and to etch her name into the LHS record book. With the state tournament starting on March 19, the LHS girls basketball team is expecting nothing less than a State championship title.  ey had an amazing season ending with a record of 14-6 and are looking to keep it going as they appear in the State tournament. Led by Hansen along with other seniors, the LHS girls team has a great shot at this year’s title. Hansen has been a backbone for past seasons and one of this season’s successes.

Hansen has been getting varsity minutes since she was a freshman. Hansen has been working hard since freshman year.

Hansen knew that she wanted to play basketball in college from the start and began gaining attention from schools across the Midwest during her sophomore season, which eventually led to her signing with the University of South Dakota to continue her academic by Charley Lockwood-Powell

and basketball career.

“I knew all along that this is where I wanted to play basketball,” said Hansen. “It is going to be really cool playing under such a successful female coach.”

Hansen has been a top player throughout high school She has earned many awards including winning ‘All-State Team’ and ‘AllTournament Team’ her freshman, sophomore and junior year. Now in her senior season, Hansen is looking to add to her trophy collection and maybe get a State championship ring.  is season has been very special for Hansen. Not only has she led the team in scoring, but she has also recently joined the elite 1,000 point club and has also broken the school’s rebound record.

“It’s an honor to be a part of the 1,000 point club and break the rebounding record because I have worked very hard to get here,” said Hansen. “Now that I am here, it’s just a surreal feeling,” said Hansen. Along with her work on the court, Hansen has had a longlasting impact on her teammates and acts as a role model to the underclassman. Hansen helps younger athletes and teammates get better by pushing them hard in practice and making sure they are not slacking o .

“She has shown how hard it is to work to get to her level and what it takes to succeed in this sport,” said LHS sophomore and teammate Kaia Jensen.

To say the least, Hansen’s presence on the LHS basketball has had a huge impact on all of the players. By working as hard as she does, the younger players look up to her and want to work just as hard as she does. High school basketball has been a great stepping stone for Hansen as she makes her way into college basketball.  ese past four years are ones that she will not forget. Her accomplishments here will travel with her and her name will always be on the LHS wall as one of the greatest LHS girls basketball players.

A er this season, Hansen is going into a whole di erent world of competition. Going from high school basketball to college basketball will not be easy.

“I know I am going to work even harder than I already do,” said Hansen. “It is going to be way more intense, and I am going to have to learn to play at a quicker level. I have to make smarter decisions because I know some decisions I make now won’t be very good in college basketball.”

 is next season is going to be a tough adjustment for Hansen and will be a completely di erent lifestyle. She will have to learn to practice every day and keep up with all her classes when she is on the road for basketball.

“I am scared about balancing school and basketball because I know that I will miss a lot of classes during the season,” said Hansen. Although there will be a lot of stress to come with their upcoming season, there is also excitment with playing at the college level: playing in front of thousands of fans, playing in high-class arenas and also the experience she will have with her future teammates.

“I am really excited for next season because I know most of my teammates and can’t wait to get in a routine with them and travel and be with them all the time,” said Hansen.

Hansen has surely le a mark in the LHS basketball program through her work ethic and her natural talent. Her hard work will follow her and will help her tremendously in the future. PHOTO BY JAIDA SORENSEN